St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-01-06
MAILWAYs AND WAREHoUsES rs.
Results Obtained and suggestions
as to the FIXTURE.

In response to manifest demand of the
public interest and the popular Wild the legis-
lature of 1885 inaugurated new policy of
state control of railway and warehouse man
agement. The laws enacted for the super
vision and regulation Of these interests have
been on trial the past two years, and the re-
suits accomplished hereunder are submitted
to you b5 the board Of commissioners, who
were specially charged with their execution.
The work of the commission has been
laborious, difficult, in many Of its details eX-
tremely delicate, but in all respects most
efficient; showing more substantial results
than could reasonably have been expected
from the administration of laws necessarily
imperfect, inaSmuch as they were largely eX-
detrimental. An early noted defect in the law
for ''the regulation of railroad companies"
was the limited power vested in the commits
sion. This often proved an embarrassment,
but the sagacity OF the board largely obviated
the effect. The, could "atvise,' 'requeSt,'
and in exceptional c:ss promulgate
their judgment in ian order to, the
railroad companies, but compliance, as a
rule, could be obtained ONLY by the voluntary
action of the corporations themselves 1t is
therefore cause for congratulatfon that so
much has been realized ID the way of relief.
Briefly outlined there has been secured under
this law, thTo Ugh the agency OF the commits
son, free and open market with the right of
unrestricted shipment for grain on every line
OF railway III the state EXCEPT one; q mate
rial reduction on all the roads of rates
charged for the transportation of grain, live
stock, lumber, wood and general farm pro-
ducts, amounting in the aggregate to over
one million dollars per annum; general re-
ductiOn of all passenger tariffs to Il maximum
charge of cents per mile, and a virtual abo-
tion of the OiiouS transit system, by an
elimination OF its Objectionable and burden
some features.
These results have been reached through
the patient, persistent aud often prolonged
efforts of the commission, involving an eX-
haustiVe investigation of the subject of rail-
way transportation IN its many phases and to
its remOteSt detail, and elaborate illustration
by comparison of its relative cost as between
different companies under varied and diverse
conditions. The facts developed by this re-
search fortified the commission ia the presen-
tation of it's demands upon the companies,
and secured concessions which otherwise
it would hardly have been possible to obtain.
In but one instance have the commission had
to resort to the courts to enforce its demands.
and in this case the lower court has decided
in favor of the law. The cause is now pend
ing in he supreme court.
Minnesota has now fairly lnaugurated
policy re pecting state supervision and con-
troll OF railroad companies which, if suffi-
GENTLY Strengthened, and wisely and firmly
administered. will lead, believe, 10 such sue
cessful and just adjustment of the relations
that should obtain between these corpora
tons and the public, as is possible under
separate and independent state action. The
problem CAN not, however. reach solution
entirely satisfactory. until the general gov
ernment shall supplement state action By a
federal policy, which shall have in view the
determination of questions relating to inter-
state commerce. The public sentiment of
the country, with marked unanimity, is de-
manding OF congress legislation to this end.
1t remains 10 be seen how long adverse in
fuences shall postpone its enactment
Ybn RI
ments and changes in the law as their ex-
perience and investigations have suggested
are necessary to make it more effective. I
bespeak for them your hearty Endorsement,
and l earnestly invoke your early action re-
specting the additional legislation contem-
plated in the drafts of laws they submit for
your consideration.
Clearly in my view, the commissioners
should be authorized 10 revise and amend the
tariffs of the railroad companies respecting